Hot Corner takes care of employees

And the Fort Collins-based company does it all while running Northern Colorado eateries Austin’s American Grill, Austin’s Homestead, Enzio’s Italian Kitchen, The Moot House and Big Al’s Burgers and Dogs. Employing about 350 people, Hot Corner Concepts won a 2012 Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau of Northern Colorado and Wyoming in the category of businesses with 100 to 499 staffers.

The company, owned by Scott McCarthy and Steve Taylor, values its employees and treats them ethically.

Hot Corner Concepts managers receive a 401K and health care benefits while hourly employees also can maintain a 401K if they have worked at the company more than a year. They also can eat for half off menu prices.

Employees also have the opportunity to advance in the company. Alan Janzten, Hot Corner Concepts’ director of operations, started at the company as a dishwasher.

The company also values employee safety. A safety coordinator monitors the workplace and address employees at a monthly safety gathering.

Along with its regard for workers, Hot Corner Concepts makes sure its suppliers fit the company’s ethical standards. As an example, Taylor requests that every supplier verifies the origins of products purchased by Hot Corner Concepts.

Besides the integrity it requires from suppliers, Hot Corner Concepts has donated thousands of dollars to charity.

At Big Al’s, tips from customers are donated to charity. The company raised employees’ earnings to compensate for the contributions of their tips.

The company also has joined ClimateWise, a city of Fort Collins program that helps businesses meet greenhouse gas reduction goals. Businesses like Hot Corner Concepts have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more then 136,000 metric tons per year.

In that environmentally friendly vein, Austin’s and Big Al’s compost their waste. Some of its restaurants have energy-efficient hot water heaters and toilets that use less water.

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